Batman: Earth One

12/05/2012. Contributed by Jessica Martin

This summer will see the release of Batman: Earth One, an original graphic novel that re-imagines bats as a flawed and fallible young man fumbling his way through feelings of isolation by pinning them on a quest for vengeance. This Batman is no protector of innocents; he's an angry vigilante with little interest in heroics, and with a lot to learn about the city's mean streets.

The collaboration between author Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank, Batman: Earth One also marks the first original graphic novel for Johns--who is also DC Entertainment's Chief Creative Officer and is best known for his work on fan-favorite ongoing series for DC Comics, including JUSTICE LEAGUE, AQUAMAN and GREEN LANTERN.

Together, these two creators will present a new vision of the Batman mythology--not as a caped crusader, but as a lonely young man lashing out at the city that robbed him of his family. Following in the tradition of the #1 New York Times bestseller SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE, Johns and Frank explore the story you think you know, but with new twists on the well-known origin, new interpretations of classic characters and a gritty, contemporary setting as the narrative's backdrop.

Batman: Earth One will be released in comic book stores on July 4th 2012 and in bookstores on July 10. No mere retelling of the well-known mythology, this is the story of a flawed, would-be hero, of a man who is not yet master of Gotham's shadows, of Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman.